Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Find Out Where your Energy Dollars are Going - Home Energy Audits

Everyone’s talking about energy efficiency these days – how to save on energy costs while preserving the environment.  But do you really know why you spend what you do on energy?  One way to find out is to have a home energy audit performed.  A home energy audit is a great way to gather and analyze information to determine where you can save money on your energy costs.

A home energy audit is performed using infrared cameras, surface thermometers, furnace efficiency meters and other specialized equipment.  A thorough examination of the home, inside and out, is completed by technicians.  If the homeowner knows of any problem areas (hot spots, drafty areas, etc.) these can be looked at in more detail to determine the cause. 

Additionally, the auditor will want to know how many people live in the home, what the occupants’ energy habits are (when are thermostats turned up or down, when are people home or at work, etc.) and what the actual monthly energy costs are.  Once all of this information is compiled and analyzed, the audit can provide recommendations for improvements and areas where savings can be recognized.

The audit should also provide information about potential tax rebates for making energy efficiency improvements and a projection on how much the homeowner will save in energy costs.  An energy audit is a great first step to leading a more energy efficient lifestyle.